Always || Tom Riddle

The sorting hat ~ Chapter six

The train pulled to a stop, and me and Tom stood and retrieved our bags from the racks just as professor Atwell entered our compartment. Without saying a word to either of us, she turned, and with a wave of her hand, we followed her towards a lake and climbed into small boats along with the other children. Everyone was silent in awe as we approached the castle, for which I was thankful for as it meant that I could fully appreciate the moment, without the wittering on of someone else in the background. The boat stopped at the docks, and I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the boat, witnessing a girl who nearly fell in the water as the boat moved from underneath her feet. 

I moved with the crowd of excited children inside the castle, up the stairs where Professor Atwell pushed through the crowd of children to the top, silencing us with a raise of her hand. "Welcome to Hogwarts, now in a few moments,  you will be sorted into your houses. There are four possible houses that the sorting hat will place you into; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.Now, while you attend Hogwarts your house will be like your family, your triumphs will earn you points any rule breaking and you will lose those points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup. If you would follow me!"Professor Atwell motioned for us to follow, leading us through the doors and into the great hall where all the older students were looking at us curiously.

"When your name is called the sorting hat will be placed on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses." One by one the first year's names were called out, and each one seemed pleased with the houses that they were sorted into; the only difference between me and them was that I had not grown up in the magical world, and so the rest of my year seemed to have a preference for a certain house. "Clara Pevensie" Atwell called out my name, and I exchanged a worried look with Tom who sent me a reassuring smile. I passed through the children and up the steps to Professor Atwell who stood expectantly with the hat in her hand. I sat on the stool and she stepped away after placing the hat onto my head.

'You are smart I see, a quality often found in Ravenclaw...and yet, I sense a great deal of bravery and chivalry typically found in Gryffindor...Hard working and kind, such as found in Hufflepuff...However, I can see you will go far in Slytherin; resourceful, cunning and intelligent, and yet you have a high sense of self-preservation, and ambition that many of the Slytherin's possess.' 

"Hmm right ok, Slytherin!"The sorting hat called out and my eyes flicked from Tom who was beaming up at me, to the students of Slytherin. I swiftly hopped off the stool,  joining the Slytherins who seemed overjoyed at the latest addition to their house. I took a seat on the bench and looked to see who would be next. "Abraxas Malfoy" Professor Atwell called out, and the hall fell quiet. Abraxas walked up the steps, sat on the stool as the sorting hat was placed on his head.

"Slytherin!"The sorting hat bellowed, the hat was removed and Abraxas took a seat at Slytherin table who were cheering and clapping, while the other houses looked over at us in disgust; I guess the competition between houses was fierce. "Penelope Fudge" Professor called out and a few of the students sat nearby snickered at the name. "Slytherin!"The sorting hat called out, and Penelope ran excitedly to our table as the Slytherin's welcomed her with a smile or pat on the back.

"Tom Riddle"Toms name was called out, but unlike me he felt no hesitation, and walked confidently up to the stool sitting on it, awaiting the sorting hats answer as it was placed over his head. "Slytherin!"The hat called out and I smiled, clapping with the rest of my house as Tom took a seat opposite me. Throughout the sorting ceremony several more had been placed into Slytherin and others into the other houses. The headmaster Professor Dippet stood, and the hall fell silent as he stepped in front of the podium. "I would just like to say before you retire to your dormitory's that I hope the best for all of you this year and the many years to come"Professor Dippet smiled warmly down at us, as he re took his seat as prefects gathered up first years up and led us out of the great hall with stomachs full of food from the feast. 

"Goodnight, Tom"I said hugging him as we went different ways in the Slytherin common room.

"Goodnight, Clara"Tom replied and smiled down at me .I gave Tom one last smile before I turned the corner up the spiral stairs to my dormitory hoping that I would manage to get some sleep before my first day at Hogwarts.